Err not really, last time I checked Sony sells the most earphones/headphones in the U.S. and they don't make much of it in China anymore.

Well by volume I meant the number made and the number sold - cheaper earphones are likely all made in China and about 95% of headphone/earphone sales would be those less than $50, I'd guess. I could be wrong though.

You probably know this, but most of the things you're saying are not based in fact nor reality. It's arguably a form of racism to have such a strong avoidance of Chinese-made items when most of the household items, car parts, tools, and office equipment you buy in stores are made there, too; and when you don't have any personal experience with these audio devices you're criticizing. I know any IEM I've paid more than $10 for that came out of China has had the same or better build and sound quality than similarly-priced IEMs made anywhere else in the world. The current line of IEMs by Vsonic are some of the most well-made and best-sounding that exist in the world for the price they're offered at. Dunu has better build quality than Monster at 1/8th the price. Most headphone and speaker companies source parts from China or have their products manufactured there. Do you really think you're the one with superior knowledge on the quality that is found there?

Quote:

Originally Posted by probono

The key word being 'VOLUNTARILY'

If a company decides to increase profit margins by manufacturing their products as cheaply as possible, there is little the consumer can do.

If '5%' is not manufactured in China, then I'll take that 5% over the 95% any day. At least I know I'm not buying something that took pennies to produce and will likely not last the year

If a company decides to increase profit margins by manufacturing their products as cheaply as possible, there is little the consumer can do.

If '5%' is not manufactured in China, then I'll take that 5% over the 95% any day. At least I know I'm not buying something that took pennies to produce and will likely not last the year

Clearly you have never actually tried anything from a reputable Chinese company. My GR07 is still one of the best values on the market and I've abused it quite a bit for over a year now, and it's still holding strong.